The judicial inquiry report into the tragic cruise accident at Bargi Dam will take two more months to be submitted. The State Government has extended the term of the inquiry commission and set January 9, 2027, as the deadline for submission of the report. The accident, which occurred on April 30, 2026, claimed the lives of 13 people. Even after more than six months, the cause of the accident and the accountability of those responsible have not been determined. On May 10, ten days after the accident, the State Government constituted a one-member judicial inquiry commission headed by retired High Court judge Justice Sanjay Dwivedi.

 

The Commission was to submit its report to the Government within three months. The deadline for this was August 10, but the investigation failed to be completed within the stipulated time. It is reported that the Commission Chairman wanted to inspect the site as well as other important locations on the Bargi Dam. Additional time was requested for the investigation due to the inability to inspect some locations during the monsoon. Now, the Government has granted the Commission an additional two months. The Commission will investigate the actual causes of the cruise ship accident and determine who bears responsibility for the incident. It will also review the adequacy and promptness of relief and rescue operations during the accident.

 

The scope of the investigation is not limited to the Bargi accident. The Commission has also been directed to audit the safety arrangements for boats, cruise ships, and water sports activities operating in the state. This will also include reviewing compliance with the Inland Vessels Act 2021 and the NDMA’s Boat Safety Guidelines 2017. The Commission will also recommend developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the safe operation of water transport activities in the State and establishing Quick Response Teams (QRTs) at major water tourism destinations. The focus of this entire matter will now be on the judicial inquiry report, expected by January 9, 2027. The report is expected to clarify the circumstances of the accident, potential security lapses, and important aspects related to accountability.